selfishly

adverb

self·​ish·​ly ˈsel-fish-lē How to pronounce selfishly (audio)
: in a selfish way
acting/behaving selfishly
… he selfishly hogged attention for his injury …Louise Erdrich
He finds support for his intuition from game theory, which says that if everyone in a game acts selfishly, everyone suffers.Gina Kolata

Examples of selfishly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After the greatest comeback in NBA history, my dad would have rather accidentally sprinkled on the carpet than risk the first Knicks title in 53 years by so selfishly retreating to the bathroom. Fred Katz, New York Times, 14 June 2026 This month, drama will unfold, regardless of the teams or their anonymity among the Levi’s Stadium fans, who will range from soccer-craving supporters to big-event influencers selfishly looking to expand their brand (like FIFA). Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 June 2026 In the real world, leaders can selfishly abuse their authority or simply fail to deliver collective benefits. Thomas Morgan, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026 You’re focused on yourself selfishly. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 2 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selfishly

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of selfishly was in 1645

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Cite this Entry

“Selfishly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfishly. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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